Magnetic core bone screw

ABSTRACT

A system for correcting scoliosis, the system comprising: a bone screw configured to be screwed into a bone having: an exterior casing; a head having interior threads; a distalmost tip configured to be driven into the bone; a shaft extending between the head and the tip, the shaft having exterior threads; a magnetic ball; an interior cavity within the bone screw configured to house the magnetic ball; a cap having: a top end having a recess configured to receive a means for driving the bone screw into the bone; and a bottom end having cap threads; wherein an association of the cap threads with the interior threads causes the cap to be sealed to the head, and thus causes the magnetic ball to be fully encased within the bone screw, such that no portion of the magnetic ball is exposed outside of the exterior casing; and a correction abacus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit ofU.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/862,017, filed Jan. 4,2018, which claimed the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/535,706, filed Jul. 21, 2017, and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/986,120, filed Mar. 6, 2020, which arehereby incorporated by reference, to the extent that they are notconflicting with the present application.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to surgical and orthopedic devices andmore specifically to bone screws.

2. Description of the Related Art

Magnets implanted in bones during surgery on the bones may be used forcorrecting problems in patients' bones. These problems may include bonespressing on nerves in the spinal column, for example, but procedures toimplant magnets may often require additional materials such as bracketsor other similar apparatuses to hold the magnets in place, or mayrequire several steps to implant the magnets inside the bones. Thesetypes of procedures may be invasive and may also introduce the risk ofrejection of the implanted materials by the body. Ferrous magneticscrews including strong neodymium magnetic screws used for suchprocedures may be subject to rejection when implanted in the body.Coatings placed on the magnets to prevent such rejection may also wearoff over time. Such procedures can thus cause potential problems to thepatient, or may not be suitable options for certain patients.

Scoliosis, as is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, is adisorder that causes an abnormal curve to develop in the spine orbackbone. Typically diagnosed by visual inspection of the patient'sspine, scoliosis can cause the head to appear off center, and the curvein the spine can cause twisting of the vertebrae and ribs. Scoliosis canaffect patients on varying levels of severity. In severe cases ofscoliosis, where the curve of the spine is at an angle greater than 50degrees, the heart and the lungs may function irregularly, causingshortness of breath and chest pain. Additionally, severe types ofscoliosis can cause back pain, rib pain, neck pain, muscle soreness andeven abdominal pain.

Less severe cases of scoliosis can be treated with observation andbracing. More severe types of scoliosis (e.g., neuromuscular scoliosis),however, normally cannot be treated with observation and bracing alone.Currently, these more severe types of scoliosis in the spine are treatedsurgically. The surgery, which aims to correct the curve of the back toas close to normal as possible, involves performing a spinal fusion.Spinal fusion surgery involves implanting a combination of screws, hooksand/or rods into the curved bones of the spine to hold the curved bonesin place and to prevent any further curving of the spine. Autograft bonematerial is then placed between the curved vertebrae to fuse thevertebrae together as the curvature is corrected.

While spinal fusion is a popular and usually successful procedure, theprocedure is invasive and leads to scarring of the patient's back.Furthermore, this surgical method may lead to complications such asinfection, and the rods implanted in the back could break over time,requiring further surgery. Additionally, the fused portion of the spinewill be permanently stiff due to the resultant fusion of the vertebrae.Such permanent back stiffness may inhibit flexibility and may makecertain activities difficult to perform.

Therefore, there is a need to solve the problems described above byproviding a magnetic core bone screw system, and a surgical method ofuse, for correcting bone-related issues.

The aspects or the problems and the associated solutions presented inthis section could be or could have been pursued; they are notnecessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued.Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that anyof the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merelyby virtue of their presence in this section of the application.

BRIEF INVENTION SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects oressential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summaryis not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of theclaimed subject matter.

In an aspect, a bone screw configured to be screwed into a bone isprovided, comprising: an exterior casing; a head having a head interiorsurface; a tip having a point configured to be driven into the bone; ashaft extending between the head and the tip; a magnet having a northpole and a south pole; an interior cavity within the bone screwconfigured to house the magnet; a cap having: a top end having a recessconfigured to receive a means for driving the bone screw into the bone;and a bottom end having a set of cap threads; wherein the exteriorcasing encloses the tip, the shaft, at least a portion of the cap, andat least a portion of the head, and wherein a portion of the exteriorcasing enclosing the shaft comprises a set of exterior threads; the headbeing configured to receive the cap by having a set of interior threadson the head interior surface; and wherein an association of the set ofcap threads with the set of interior threads causes the cap to be sealedto the head, and thus causes the magnet to be encased within the bonescrew with no portion of the magnet exposed outside of the exteriorcasing. An advantage may be that a plurality of magnetic core bonescrews may be used for aligning bones of the body into a correctphysiologic position using a minimally invasive surgical technique,without the need for brackets or additional apparatuses to connect thescrews to the bones, and without the need for additional steps in thesurgery to apply such brackets. Another advantage may be that thecomplete encasing of the magnet within the screw may reduce thepotential for rejection by the body, such that implantation of stronglymagnetic material into the bone using a minimally invasive technique maybe achieved while reducing risk of rejection of the implanted materialsin the patient. Another advantage may be that orthopedic movement of thebones may be achieved with a minimally invasive surgical technique withfewer steps than is required by techniques known in the art.

In another aspect, a bone screw configured to be screwed into a bone isprovided, comprising: an exterior casing; a head having a recess on atop end, the recess being configured to receive a means for driving thebone screw into the bone; a tip having a point configured to be driveninto the bone; a shaft extending between the head and the tip; a magnethaving a north pole and a south pole; an interior cavity within the bonescrew configured to house the magnet, the interior cavity being locatedinside of the shaft, such that a length of the magnet extending betweenthe north pole and the south pole is parallel to the shaft; wherein theexterior casing encloses the tip, the shaft, and the head, and wherein aportion of the exterior casing enclosing the shaft comprises a set ofexterior threads; and wherein the magnet is encased within the bonescrew with no portion of the magnet exposed outside of the exteriorcasing. Again, an advantage may be that a plurality of magnetic corebone screws may be used for aligning bones of the body into a correctphysiologic position using a minimally invasive surgical technique,without the need for brackets or additional apparatuses to connect thescrews to the bones, and without the need for additional steps in thesurgery to apply such brackets. Another advantage may be that thecomplete encasing of the magnet within the screw may reduce thepotential for rejection by the body, such that implantation of stronglymagnetic material into the bone using a minimally invasive technique maybe achieved while reducing risk of rejection of the implanted materialsin the patient. Another advantage may be that orthopedic movement of thebones may be achieved with a minimally invasive surgical technique withfewer steps than is required by techniques known in the art.

In an aspect, a magnetic ball core bone screw is provided for implantinginto bone for the correction of scoliosis of the spine. The magneticball core bone screw may comprise: an exterior casing; a head configuredto receive a means for driving the bone screw into the bone; a tiphaving a distalmost point configured to be driven into the bone; a shaftextending between the head and the tip; a free-rolling magnetic ballhaving a north pole and a south pole; an interior cavity located withinthe shaft and configured to house the magnetic ball; wherein theexterior casing encloses the tip, the shaft, and at least a portion ofthe head, and wherein a portion of the exterior casing enclosing theshaft comprises a set of exterior threads; and wherein the magnetic ballis fully encased within the bone screw, such that no portion of themagnetic ball is exposed outside of the exterior casing. An advantagemay be that a plurality of magnetic core bone screws may be used foraligning vertebrae of the spine into a correct physiologic positionusing a minimally invasive surgical technique, without the need forbrackets or additional apparatuses to connect the screws to the bones,and without the need for additional steps in the surgery to apply suchbrackets. Another advantage may be that the complete encasing of themagnetic ball within the screw may reduce the potential for rejection bythe body, such that implantation of strongly magnetic material into thebone using a minimally invasive technique may be achieved while reducingrisk of rejection of the implanted materials in the patient.

In an aspect, a magnetic ball core bone screw is provided for implantinginto bone for the correction of scoliosis of the spine. The magneticball core bone screw may comprise: a head having a set of interiorthreads; a tip having a distalmost point configured to be driven intothe bone; a body extending between the head and the tip, the bodycomprising a set of exterior threads; a free-rolling magnetic ballhaving a north pole and a south pole; an interior cavity located withinthe head and configured to house the magnetic ball; a cap having: a topend configured to receive a means for driving the bone screw into thebone; and a bottom end having a set of cap threads; wherein anassociation of the set of cap threads with the set of interior threadscauses the cap to be sealed to the head, and thus causes the magneticball to be fully encased within the bone screw, such that no portion ofthe magnetic ball is exposed outside of the bone screw. An advantage maybe that a plurality of magnetic core bone screws may be used foraligning vertebrae of the spine into a correct physiologic positionusing a minimally invasive surgical technique, without the need forbrackets or additional apparatuses to connect the screws to the bones,and without the need for additional steps in the surgery to apply suchbrackets. Another advantage may be that the complete encasing of themagnetic ball within the screw may reduce the potential for rejection bythe body, such that implantation of strongly magnetic material into thebone using a minimally invasive technique may be achieved while reducingrisk of rejection of the implanted materials in the patient.

In another aspect, a system for correcting scoliosis of the spine isprovided with at least one magnetic ball core bone screw and an externalcorrection abacus. The at least one magnetic ball core bone screw maycomprise a free-rolling magnetic ball provided inside an internal cavityof the bone screw, and the bone screw may be configured to be driveninto bone. The external correction abacus may be configured to be wornon a user's back and may comprise: a frame having interior walls, aplurality of rods extending horizontally between the interior walls, andat least one pair of magnetic riders configured to be mounted onto atleast one of plurality of rods. The at least one pair of magnetic ridersmay comprise a first fixed rider and a second free rider. The firstfixed rider may be provided with an attracting magnet and a lockingscrew adapted to secure the fixed rider to the at least one of theplurality of rods. The second free rider may be provided with afront-facing magnet and a side-facing magnet, wherein the side-facingmagnet faces toward and is pulled by the attracting magnet. The frontfacing magnet may simultaneously face toward the at least one bone screwimplanted in a vertebra of the spine, such that the front-facing magnetmay magnetically pull on the at least one magnetic ball core bone screw.Thus, an advantage of the scoliosis correction system is that themagnetic ball core bone screws may be used with or without thecorrection abacus to realign the spinal column. An additional advantageis that the correction abacus does not need to be surgically implantedinto the patient's spine, thus reducing the risk of any potentialinfection or complications. An additional advantage is that thecorrection abacus may be made from readily available materials and istherefore cost-effective.

In another aspect, a system for correcting scoliosis of the spine isprovided with at least one magnetic ball core bone screw and a magneticgirdle. The at least one magnetic ball core bone screw may comprise afree-rolling magnetic ball provided inside an internal cavity of thebone screw, and the bone screw may be configured to be driven into bone.The magnetic girdle may be configured to be worn on a user's torso andmay comprise: a stretchable body having shoulder straps and sets of topand bottom belt loops, a flexible hose extending vertically along aninterior rear of the stretchable body, and a plurality of magnetsdisposed within the flexible tube, each magnet of the plurality ofmagnets being arranged in an identical orientation. The plurality ofmagnets may each comprise a north pole and a south pole, such that acontinuous magnetic field is formed along the flexible hose. Themagnetic girdle may further comprise a plurality of dividers disposedwithin the flexible hose, each divider of the plurality of dividersbeing positioned between adjacent magnets, such that an equal separationis maintained between the adjacent magnets. The plurality of magnets,when the magnetic girdle is worn, may magnetically pull on the magneticball of the at least one bone screw implanted in the spine. Thus, anadvantage is that the magnetic hose girdle may help correct thecurvature of a spine having scoliosis without the need for additionalsurgery. An additional advantage is that the flexible hose maycomfortably be kept in close proximity to the spine having scoliosis,such that to enable the curved vertebrae having magnetic ball core bonescrews to be shifted into proper alignment. Another advantage is thatthe magnetic hose girdle may allow a user to naturally bend over orstretch to the side while maintaining magnetic attraction between theplurality of magnets and the bone screws implanted in the spine. Anotheradvantage is that the magnetic hose girdle may be conveniently andeasily worn by the user and later removed, as needed.

The above aspects or examples and advantages, as well as other aspectsor examples and advantages, will become apparent from the ensuingdescription and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For exemplification purposes, and not for limitation purposes, aspects,embodiments or examples of the invention are illustrated in the figuresof the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a side sectional view and a side view,respectively, of a magnetic core bone screw, according to an aspect.

FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of the screw cap on a bone screw,according to an aspect.

FIG. 3 illustrates the superior (top) view of a vertebra with a magneticcore bone screw 300 screwed into the interior of the vertebral body ofthe vertebral bone, according to an aspect.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lateral (side) view of the spinal column withinserted magnetic core bone screws, according to an aspect.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a side sectional view and a side view,respectively, of another example of a magnetic core bone screw having amagnetic core located inside the head of the screw, according to anaspect.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side sectional view another example of the magneticcore bone screw, having a magnet placed at an angle inside the screwhead, according to an aspect.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side sectional view of another example of themagnetic core bone screw having a magnet placed at an angle inside thescrew head, according to an aspect.

FIG. 8 illustrates the superior (top) view of a vertebra with a magneticcore bone screw 800-a screwed into the interior of the vertebral bonebody, according to an aspect.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example of the lateral (side) view of thespinal column having magnetic core bone screws inserted, with a detailedenlarged view of a screw head, according to an aspect.

FIG. 10 illustrates the side view of the bones of the leg with insertedmagnetic core bone screws, according to an aspect.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate a side sectional view and a side view,respectively, of a magnetic ball core bone screw, according to anaspect.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side partially sectional view of another exampleof the magnetic ball core bone screw, having a magnetic ball placedinside the screw head, according to an aspect.

FIG. 13 illustrates a rear view of an X-ray and a 3D model of anexemplary spine with scoliosis, according to an aspect.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a vertebra with a magnetic ball corebone screw screwed into the interior of the vertebral bone body,according to an aspect.

FIG. 15 illustrates a rear view of a spine having scoliosis, withinserted magnetic ball core bone screws and a detailed enlarged view ofa screw head 1566, according to an aspect.

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate a perspective view and a front view,respectively, of a scoliosis correction abacus, according to an aspect.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front perspective view of the magnetic riders1651, 1652 shown in FIGS. 16A-16B, according to an aspect.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a scoliosis correction abacushaving multiple pairs of magnetic riders, according to an aspect.

FIG. 19 illustrates a front perspective, sectional view of anotherexample of the scoliosis correction abacus, implemented as a flexiblemagnetic girdle, according to an aspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

What follows is a description of various aspects, embodiments and/orexamples in which the invention may be practiced. Reference will be madeto the attached drawings, and the information included in the drawingsis part of this detailed description. The aspects, embodiments and/orexamples described herein are presented for exemplification purposes,and not for limitation purposes. It should be understood that structuraland/or logical modifications could be made by someone of ordinary skillsin the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore,the scope of the invention is defined by the accompanying claims andtheir equivalents.

It should be understood that, for clarity of the drawings and of thespecification, some or all details about some structural components orsteps that are known in the art are not shown or described if they arenot necessary for the invention to be understood by one of ordinaryskills in the art.

For the following description, it can be assumed that mostcorrespondingly labeled elements across the figures (e.g., 103 and 403,etc.) possess the same characteristics and are subject to the samestructure and function. If there is a difference between correspondinglylabeled elements that is not pointed out, and this difference results ina non-corresponding structure or function of an element for a particularembodiment, example or aspect, then the conflicting description givenfor that particular embodiment, example or aspect shall govern.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a side sectional view and a side view,respectively, of a magnetic core bone screw (“magnetic core bone screw,”or “bone screw”) 100, according to an aspect. Bone screws 100 containingmagnetic cores may screwed into the vertebrae or other bones of the bodywith a screwdriver, for example, or any other suitable means. The bonescrew 100 may include a head 166, which may be associated with a screwcap 120, a shaft 164, and a distalmost tip 127 at the opposite end ofthe head 166 which may be pointed to aid in the drilling and theinsertion of the bone screw 100 into a bone. The shaft 164 may extendbetween the head 166 and the tip 127. The bone screw may be providedwith an inner cavity or chamber 124 for housing a magnet 126, which maythus become the magnetic core 126 (“magnetic core,” or “magnet”) of thebone screw. The magnet 126 may, for example, be neodymium, or any othersuitable material. As an example, the magnetic core 126 may be housedwithin a chamber 124 located in the shaft 164 of the bone screw 100. Themagnet 126 having a north pole 102 and a south pole 103 may be placed inthe interior cavity 124 of the bone screw 100 as shown in FIG. 1A suchthat the magnet is not visible from the exterior of the screw, as shownby FIG. 1B. The exterior casing 128 of the screw 100, which maycompletely surround and encase the magnet 126, may be constructed from amaterial not likely or less likely to be rejected by the human body,such as, for example, titanium or ceramic materials. An advantage may bethat additional coatings may not be needed on the magnet itself, thusagain reducing the risk of rejection of materials by the patient's body.A complete encasing of the magnet 126 by the exterior casing 128 maythus reduce the risk to a patient of injury, rejection of implantedmaterials, or complications following a surgery.

The bone screw 100 may also be provided with interior threads 122 at atop end of the screw at the head 166, and the inner threads 122 may bethreaded or associated with the cap threads of 122-a of a top screw cap(“top screw cap,” “screw cap” or “cap”) 120. The cap 120 may then sealin the magnet 126 such that no portion of the magnet is exposed orvisible outside of the exterior casing 128 of bone screw 100, and thecap may be constructed from the same or similar material as the exteriorcasing 128. The cap 120 may allow for the magnet 126 to be removablyinserted into the bone screw, and replaced or repositioned as needed,for example. As shown by FIG. 1B, the bone screw 100 may be providedwith exterior threads 131 on the exterior casing 128 surface, which mayaid a user in screwing, drilling, or inserting the bone screw 100 intobone.

The magnetic core bone screws 100 may be used to help relocate or alignbones to the correct anatomical position, to correct problems or torelieve pain or pressure, for example. As examples, the screws may beused to align vertebrae, or to separate vertebrae that are pinching anerve. For example, for patients or users suffering from an undesiredcurvature of the spine, the magnetic core bone screws 100 may be placedin several vertebrae in series such that the vertebral column may bebrought into a proper or desired alignment. Magnetic core bone screws100 may be used as a part of a minimally invasive surgical technique. Anadvantage may be that this method of implanting magnets into bones mayrequire fewer steps to complete the operation than other known methods.As an example, the magnetic core bone screws 100 may be placed intovertebrae, or any other suitable bones of the body. In the spine,orthopedic movement of vertebrae may be achieved by using magnetic corescrews inserted into the vertebrae to attract or repel adjacent magneticcore screws screwed into neighboring vertebrae. The magnetic core bonescrews may also be used alone or in tandem with other therapies to alignthe spine for those that suffer from improper curvature such as thatwhich may occur in scoliosis. For example, another therapy or techniquethat the magnetic core bone screws may be used with is the attachment orplacement of external magnets, which may be strapped into fixedpositions outside of the body of the patient or the user, which mayassist in bringing bones which have magnetic core bone screws drilledinto them into a proper or desired position or alignment over time. Asanother example of an additional therapy or technique that may be usedwith magnetic core bone screws drilled into a patient's bones, the bodyor a portion of the body may be placed into an external electromagneticfield which may be used to bring bones containing the magnetic core bonescrews into a proper or desired position or alignment. As anotherexample, a patient or user suffering from bones that are too short mayhave magnetic core bone screws drilled into their bones, and next beplaced into an external electromagnetic field in order to lengthen thebone by taking advantage of the magnetic pull on each end of the drilledbones, over time.

Another advantage may be that this minimally invasive technique mayrequire no brackets or other apparatuses to be attached to the bones orvertebrae, thus requiring less materials and less potential risk ofrejection of the inserted materials in the patient. Brackets for holdinga magnet to the bones may be eliminated from the process, and multiplesteps for inserting a magnet into the bone may be reduced only to thestep of screwing the bone screw with an embedded or encased magnet intothe bone. Thus, another advantage may be that these surgical proceduresmay be more efficient than previously known techniques.

The magnetic core bone screws may be constructed to be the size ofconventional bone screws as known in the art, or may be constructed tobe slender enough to fit through the thickness of a hypodermic needle.Another advantage may be that the magnet embedded within the bone screwmay require no additional coating, being encased completely within thebone screw itself.

FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of the screw cap (“screw cap” or “cap”)220 on a bone screw 200, according to an aspect. As an example, thescrew cap 220 may be provided with a recess or screw drive, configuredto receive any means or tool for driving the bone screw 200 into a bone.As an example, the bone screw may be provided with a recess or screwdrive such as, for example, a Phillips head as shown by 230, or anyother suitable type of screw drive. The bone screw 200 may also beconstructed with a screw drive such as an Allen's head 232 shown as anexample, or any other suitable type of screw drive, which may be usedfor receiving a means for driving the screw 200 into the bone. It shouldbe noted that the screw cap and the screw head may each independentlycomprise a recess or screw drive for the removal of the bone screw fromthe bone without the removal of the screw cap, as an example.

FIG. 3 illustrates the superior (top) view of a vertebra 310 with amagnetic core bone screw 300 screwed into the interior of the vertebralbody 349 of the vertebral bone 310, according to an aspect. The spinousprocess 342, transverse processes 340, the tip of the transverseprocesses 346, the vertebral foramen 348, and the vertebral body 349 maybe visible from the superior view of the vertebra, as shown. The magnet(not visible) within the magnetic core bone screw 300 may be located inthe shaft of the magnetic core bone screw (as shown by 126 in FIG. 1A).

The bone screw 300 having a magnet may be screwed into the vertebrae 310in order to take advantage of or employ the attraction and repulsioncharacteristics of magnetic fields. These forces may be used to alignvertebrae, separate vertebrae or bring vertebrae closer together,according to the medical needs of the user. These forces may be used tobring bones of the body closer together or farther apart. Thesetechniques may be used alone or in combination with other conventionalorthopedic techniques for either minor or major bone or vertebralmovement, for example. The magnetic core bone screw 300 may be placedanywhere into a bone, such as a vertebra, for example, such that themagnetic forces of the screws may produce the desired result. As anexample, for achieving a correct positioning of the vertebrae, amagnetic core bone screw or a plurality of screws may normally bescrewed into a vertebra, and an additional screw or plurality of screwsmay be screwed into an accompanying nearby vertebra, to creates therepulsion or attraction force that move the vertebrae to the desiredposition. The magnetic core bone screws 300 may be screwed into severalvertebrae in series to achieve the desired result for the vertebralcolumn. Magnetic core bone screws may also be screwed into other bonesof the body to similarly attain and/or retain the proper physiologicplacement of the bones.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lateral (side) view of the spinal column 411 withinserted magnetic core bone screws 400, according to an aspect. The body449 of the individual vertebra, the intervertebral disc 454, and thespinal nerve 456 are visible in this exemplary view. The repulsion ofthe magnets inside the magnetic core bone screws 400 may help to relievepressure on the spinal nerve 456. Again, the magnetic core bone screws400 may have the magnets located inside the shaft of the screws. Anexemplary alignment of the north and south poles of the magnets areshown by 402 and 403, respectively. A plurality of bone screws 400 maybe inserted into the vertebrae with their north poles 402 and southpoles 403 aligned such that a repulsion is caused between the magnets.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a side sectional view and a side view,respectively, of another example of a magnetic core bone screw 500-ahaving a magnetic core located inside the head 566 of the screw 500-a,according to an aspect. The magnet 526-a may be positioned perpendicularto the shaft 564 of the screw at a 90-degree angle, as shown, and mayhave a north pole 502 and south pole 503. The floor of the interiorcavity 524 may be perpendicular to the shaft, such that the length ofthe magnet extending between the north pole and south pole housed withinthe cavity is perpendicular to the shaft. The bone screw 500-a may beprovided with a screw-on cap 560, for example, which may be used forsealing in the magnet 526-a.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side sectional view another example of the magneticcore bone screw 600-b, having a magnet 626-b placed at an angle insidethe screw head 666, according to an aspect. As an example, a magneticcore bone screw 600-b may have a magnet 626-b located within the screwhead 666 rather than the shaft 664. The cavity 624 for housing themagnet may thus be within the screw head 666, and the interior cavitymay have a floor that is sloped such that the cavity is at an angleother than 90 degrees to the shaft 664 of the bone screw 600-b. Theinterior cavity may be at an angle greater than 90 degrees with respectto the shaft 664, for example. Such an orientation of the magnet 626-bwithin the interior cavity 624 may allow the magnetic field of themagnet 626-b to be directed at various angles when screwed into thebone, as needed by the user. The angle of the magnet 626-b may be suchthat the north pole 602 is pointed upwards towards the head 666, and thesouth pole 603 is pointed downwards towards the tip 627, as an example.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side sectional view of another example of themagnetic core bone screw 700-c having a magnet 726-b placed at an angleinside the screw head 766, according to an aspect. As another example,and similar to the example showed in FIG. 6, the magnet 726-b may beplaced with its north pole 702 pointing downwards towards the tip 727and its south pole 703 pointing upwards towards the head 766, by beinghoused inside of a cavity 724 with a sloped floor.

FIG. 8 illustrates the superior (top) view of a vertebra 810 with amagnetic core bone screw 800-a screwed into the interior of thevertebral bone body 849, according to an aspect. The transverseprocesses 840 and the spinous process 842 of the vertebra 810 arevisible in this exemplary view. The magnetic core bone screw 800-a mayhave the magnet 826-a located in the interior of the head 866 of thescrew 800-a, and the north pole 802 of the magnet may be pointed towardsthe superior side of the vertebra 810 with the south pole of the magnet(not visible) may be pointed towards the inferior side of the vertebra,as an example.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example of the lateral (side) view of thespinal column 911 having magnetic core bone screws 900-a inserted, witha detailed enlarged view 930 of a screw head 966, according to anaspect. The body 949 of the individual vertebra, the intervertebral disc954, and the spinal nerve 956 are visible in this view. Again, similarto the discussion when referring to FIG. 4, the repulsion of the magnets900-a inside the magnetic core bone screws 900-a may help to relievepressure from the vertebrae 949 on the spinal nerve 956. As an example,a first screw 900-a having a magnet 926-b within the screw head 966 maybe positioned in a first vertebra 949 such that the magnet's south pole903 is pointed upwards towards the superior side of the vertebra, andthe magnet's north pole 902 is pointed downwards towards the inferiorside of the vertebra, as shown in the detailed enlarged view 930. Next,a second screw 900-a 2 having a magnet 926-b within the screw head 966may be positioned in a second vertebra 949-a on the inferior side of thefirst vertebra 949. The magnet 926-b of the second screw 900-a 2 may beoriented such that the north pole is facing towards the north pole 902of the first screw 900-a, and the south pole is facing away from thefirst screw 900-a.

FIG. 10 illustrates the side view of the bones of the leg with insertedmagnetic core bone screws 1000 and 1000-d, according to an aspect. Theexemplary view shows an example of magnetic core bone screws 1000 in thetibia 1007 and the femur 1008, with the tibia 1007, medial condyle ofthe tibia 1004, femur 1008, and the medial epicondyle of the femur 1009visible. The magnetic core bone screws 1000 may be used in any othersuitable bones of the body to acquire the correct anatomical positionneeded for the patient. As shown as an example, two magnetic core bonescrews may be placed across from one another in the tibia and the femur.The north poles 1002 and south poles 1003 of the magnetic core bonescrews 1000 may be aligned as shown such that the two bone screws 1000are repulsed from each other. The exemplary alignment of the first andsecond magnetic core bone screws may achieve a therapeutic effect orrelieve pain or tension in the patient, for example.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate a side sectional view and a side view,respectively, of a magnetic ball core bone screw (“magnetic ball corebone screw,” “magnetic bone screw,” “bone screw”), according to anaspect. Bone screws 1100 containing magnetic ball cores may screwed intothe vertebrae or other bones of the body with a screwdriver, forexample, or any other suitable means. The bone screw 1100 may include ahead 166, which may be associated with a screw cap 1120, a shaft 1164,and a tip 1127 at the opposite end of the head 1166 which may be pointedto aid in the drilling and the insertion of the bone screw 1100 into abone. The shaft 1164 may extend between the head 1166 and the tip 1127.The bone screw may be provided with an inner cavity or chamber 1124 forhousing a magnetic ball 1126, which may thus become the magnetic ballcore 1126 (“magnetic ball core,” “magnetic ball,” or “magnet”) of thebone screw. The magnet 1126 may, for example, be neodymium, or any othersuitable metal. As an example, the magnetic core 1126 may be housedwithin a chamber 1124 located in the shaft 1164 of the bone screw 1100.The magnetic ball 1126 having a north pole 1102 and a south pole 1103may be placed in the interior cavity 1124 of the bone screw 1100 asshown in FIG. 1A, such that the magnet is not visible from the exteriorof the screw, as shown by FIG. 11B. The exterior casing 1128 of thescrew 1100, which may completely surround and encase the magnet 1126,may be constructed from a material not likely or less likely to berejected by the human body, such as, for example, titanium or ceramicmaterials. An advantage may be that additional coatings may not beneeded on the magnet itself, thus again reducing the risk of rejectionof materials by the patient's body. A complete encasing of the magnet1126 by the exterior casing 1128 may thus reduce the risk to a patientof injury, rejection of implanted materials, or complications followinga surgery.

The bone screw 1100 may also be provided with interior threads 1122 at atop end of the screw at the head 1166, and the inner threads 1122 may bethreaded or associated with the cap threads of 1122-a of a top screw cap(“top screw cap,” “screw cap” or “cap”) 1120. The cap 1120 may then sealin the magnet 1126 such that no portion of the magnet is exposed orvisible outside of the exterior casing 1128 of bone screw 1100, and thecap may be constructed from the same or similar material as the exteriorcasing 1128 (e.g., titanium). The cap 1120 may allow for the magnet 1126to be removably inserted into the bone screw and replaced or placed at adifferent depth in the interior cavity 1124, as needed, for example. Asshown by FIG. 11B, the bone screw 1100 may be provided with exteriorthreads 1131 on the exterior casing 1128 surface, which may aid a userin screwing, drilling, or inserting the bone screw 1100 into bone.

As discussed similarly when referring to FIG. 2, the screw cap 1120 maybe provided with a recess or screw drive, configured to receive anymeans or tool for driving the bone screw 1100 into a vertebra. As anexample, the bone screw may be provided with a recess or screw drivesuch as, for example, a Phillips head, or any other suitable type ofscrew drive. The bone screw 1100 may also be constructed with a screwdrive such as an Allen's head as an example, or any other suitable typeof screw drive, which may be used for receiving a means for driving thescrew 1100 into the vertebra. It should be noted that the screw cap 1120and the screw head 1166 may each independently comprise a recess orscrew drive for the removal of the bone screw from the vertebra withoutthe removal of the screw cap, as an example.

The magnetic ball core bone screws 1100 may be used to help correct thecurvature of a spine affected by scoliosis and/or to relieve pain orpressure, for example. As examples, the screws may be used to align thecurved vertebrae; the magnetic core bone screws 1100 may be placed inseveral vertebrae in series such that the vertebral column may bebrought into a proper or desired alignment. Magnetic core bone screws1100 may thus be used as a part of a minimally invasive surgicaltechnique. The magnetic ball 1126 shown in FIG. 11A may be placed withinthe interior cavity 1124, which occupies the length of the shaft 1164,as shown. Furthermore, the magnet 1126 may be free rolling and freespinning within the chamber 1124, such that the magnet may freely rotateand align itself with a magnetic field of a neighboring magnet, andtravel along the length of the chamber 1124 to reach any depth neededfor continuous correction of scoliosis of the spine. As will bediscussed in further detail throughout this disclosure below, theability of the magnets within the bone screws to freely spin will causethe curved vertebrae of the spine to realign themselves into a straightline running down the spinal column.

During use, after the magnetic bone screw 1100 has been implanted invertebrae of the spine, the user may experience slight levels ofdiscomfort when, for example, the user moves from a vertical standingposition to a horizontal resting position. Because the magnetic ball1126 is free to move along the interior cavity 1124, temporary changesin the ball's orientation (e.g., due to the force of gravity) may causeshifts in the magnetic field between successive magnetic ball core bonescrews, thus causing the slight discomfort during certain useractivities. Thus, in an effort to dampen any discomfort the user mayexperience, the interior cavity 1124 may additionally be provided with asuitable substance or material to slow the motion of the magnetic ball1126 as it changes orientation. As an example, the interior chamber maybe lined with a substance like viscous oil or grease to suitably slowthe movement of the ball 1126. Alternatively, balls or cylinders madefrom materials like polypropylene, polyethylene or moldable foam may beplaced within the chamber 1124 on either side of the magnetic ball 1126to slow the movement of the ball, as an example. As another example,non-magnetic springs could be placed on opposite ends of the chamber1126 to slow the motion of the magnetic ball, as well. It should beunderstood that the chosen substance or material should be non-magneticso as to not interfere with the magnetic ball within the chamber.

The magnetic core bone screws may also be used alone or in tandem withother therapies to align the spine for those that suffer from impropercurvature such as that which may occur in scoliosis. For example,another therapy or technique that the magnetic core bone screws may beused with is the attachment or placement of external magnets, which maybe strapped into fixed positions outside of the body of the patient orthe user, which may assist in further bringing bones which have magneticcore bone screws drilled into them into a proper or desired position oralignment over time.

Another advantage may be that this minimally invasive technique mayrequire no brackets, rods, or other apparatuses to be attached to thebones or vertebrae, thus requiring fewer materials and less potentialrisk of rejection of the inserted materials in the patient. Brackets forholding a magnet to the bones may also be eliminated from the process,and multiple steps for inserting a magnet into the bone (e.g.,predrilling a guide hole) may be reduced only to the one step ofscrewing the bone screw with an embedded or encased magnet into thebone. Thus, another advantage may be that these surgical procedures maybe more efficient than currently known techniques.

The magnetic core bone screws may be constructed to be the size ofconventional bone screws as known in the art or may be constructed to beslender enough to fit through the thickness of a hypodermic needle.Thus, another advantage is that the magnet embedded within the bonescrew may require no additional coating, being encased completely withinthe bone screw itself.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side partially sectional view of another exampleof the magnetic ball core bone screw 1200, having a magnetic ball 1226placed inside the screw head 1266, according to an aspect. As shown inFIG. 12, the magnetic ball core bone screw 1200 may be provided with aspherical cavity 1225 within the head 1266 of the screw 1200. As shownas an example, the magnetic ball 1226 may be placed as a floating magnetwithin the spherical cavity 1225, allowing the magnet 1226 to freelyspin within the cavity 1225. As mentioned previously above, the magnet1226 may freely spin to align itself with the magnetic field of aneighboring magnet within a neighboring bone screw. As shown, themagnetic ball 1226 may include a north pole 1202 and a south pole 1203.As will be discussed in further detail when referring to FIG. 14, thenorth pole 1202 of a first magnet may be attracted to the south pole1203 of a second magnet, which will pull the two magnets toward eachother, thus bringing the respective vertebrae into alignment. The screwtop 1220 may then be screwed onto the screw head 1266, forming a sealvia the threads 1222, such that the magnet 1226 is completely encasedwithin the spherical cavity 1225, as shown as an example. A completeencasing of the magnet 1226 by the screw top 1220 may thus reduce therisk to a patient of injury, rejection of implanted materials, orcomplications following a surgery.

As shown in FIG. 12, this additional embodiment of the present inventionmay also be provided with a pointed tip 1227 and exterior threads 1231wrapping the body of the bone screw 1200. The head 1266 of the screw1200 may be configured to receive a driver or drill point (e.g., end ofa screwdriver or power drill) to drive the screw into bone. Aspreviously discussed above, the tip 1227 and exterior threads 1231 mayallow a user to drive and insert the bone screw 1200 into a bone as thescrew head 1266 is rotated more easily. As described previously above,the bone screw 1200 may be made from a suitable material such astitanium or ceramic and the magnet 1226 may be made of neodymium, asexamples. Manufacturing the bone screw from these materials may reducethe risk of internal infection or the body rejecting the bone screwaltogether.

Thus, an advantage of the magnetic core bone screw shown in FIG. 12 isthat the magnet may freely spin within the head of the screw, allowingthe magnet to align itself within the magnetic field of a neighboringmagnet, causing the vertebrae to realign. Another advantage of thesecondary embodiment of the bone screw is that the implanting of thebone screw into the body does not require multiple steps, thus reducingthe time necessary to perform the procedure. An additional advantage isthat the bone screw shown in FIG. 12 may be easily implanted in the bodyto correct scoliosis of the spine without the need for additionalinternal rods or mounting apparatuses.

FIG. 13 illustrates a rear view of an X-ray 1334 and a 3D model 1335 ofan exemplary spine 1311 with scoliosis, according to an aspect. As anexample, a patient may be diagnosed with spinal scoliosis by visualinspection or via an X-ray 1334, as shown. As shown in FIG. 13, thecurving of the spine 1311 may cause the ribs 1348 to twist and/or cave,which in extreme cases can lead to chest and back pain, as well asshortness of breath. Furthermore, as shown, the curving of the spine1311 can cause the head of the patient to appear off-balance, and theback 1347 and the hip bone 1346 of the patient to abnormally pushoutwardly to the side, as well. The bone screw disclosed above and shownin FIGS. 11A-11B, and 12, may be implanted into the curved vertebrae1349 of the spine 1311 to correct the scoliosis causing the abnormalcurvature, as will be discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 14 illustrates a top view of a vertebra 1410 with a magnetic ballcore bone screw 400-a screwed into the interior of the vertebral bonebody 1449, according to an aspect. The transverse processes 1440 and thespinous process 1442 of the vertebra 1410 are visible in this exemplaryview. The magnetic core bone screw 1400-a may have the magnetic ball1426-a located in the interior of the head 1466 of the screw 1400-a, thenorth pole 402 of the magnet being pointed towards the superior side ofthe vertebra 410, as an example. As previously described above, themagnetic ball 1426-a may free-floating and can therefore spin freelywithin the head 1466 of the screw 1400-a. Thus, it should be understoodthat the north pole 1402 and the south pole (not shown) may alternatebetween being pointed towards or away from the superior side of thevertebra 1410.

In an aspect of the current invention, a method of correcting scoliosisof the spine is provided with the magnetic ball core bone screwdisclosed herein above. The method may involve first locating the curvedvertebrae of the spine of a diagnosed patient using an X-ray or othermedical imaging means, as an example, to determine the location(s) ofbone screw insertion within the spinal column. Then, as shown in FIG.14, a magnetic ball core bone screw may be inserted into each vertebraexhibiting abnormal curvature. A magnetic ball core bone screw may beinserted into the convex (outer) side of the curved vertebra, such thatthe curved vertebra may be pulled into proper alignment by successivebone screws inserted above and/or below it. As shown as an example, amagnetic core bone screw 1400-a may be inserted into the vertebra 1410just to the left of the spinous process 1442, with the head 1466 of thescrew left uninserted or partially uninserted into the bone 1449.Alternatively, the magnetic core bone screw 1400-b may be inserted justto the right of the spinous process 1442, should the spinal column beprotruding in the opposite direction. A bone screw may be placed intoeach curved vertebra following this same process. The bone screws may bescrewed into each vertebra using any means or tools known in the art,such as a screwdriver or power drill. It should be noted that,preferably, three (3) or more vertebrae may be treated at a time toallow the vertebrae to adjust. Then, the remaining (if any) vertebraemay be treated to adjust and realign those vertebrae with the rest ofthe spinal column. Once the bone screws have been inserted into each ofthe identified curved vertebrae, the spinal column may resemble thatshown in FIG. 15.

It should be understood that two magnetic ball core bone screws may beinserted into each vertebra, one bone screw on either side of thespinous process 1442. However, this method may be less preferred as amethod of correcting scoliosis. Using one bone screw in the vertebrae ata time may be more effective and therefore more preferable, as theinsertion of one bone screw into each vertebra is a less invasivesurgical method. As such, for the purposes of this application, usingone bone screw in the vertebra, as shown in FIG. 14, is thus consideredthe correct method of correcting scoliosis. Furthermore, as describedherein above, inserting the magnetic ball core bone screw on the convexside of the curve(s) may provide the additional advantage of allowingsuccessive vertebrae to attract toward each other at much greatermagnitudes than if two magnetic ball core bone screws were inserted intoeach vertebra, thus further facilitating the correcting of the unevengap that exists between successive vertebrae in a spine suffering fromscoliosis.

As an example, at the apex or peak of each scoliosis curve (themost-curved vertebra) that needs correction, the surgeon may elect touse magnetic ball core bone screws emitting stronger magnetic fields(e.g., magnetic balls having greater strength). At points along thespine that require less correction (minimal curvature), the surgeon mayelect to use magnetic ball core bone screws emitting weaker magneticfields. As such, the required strength of the magnetic ball core bonescrew inserted into each respective vertebra can be determined byanalyzing the difference in the gaps between a given pair of vertebraeon the right side of the spine and the left side of the spine. As anexample, the greater the difference in the gap side to side (i.e., thegreater the curvature to either the left or the right), the stronger themagnetic ball of the magnetic ball core bone screw that is to beinserted into that particular vertebra should be. Alternatively, thelesser the difference in the gap side to side (i.e., the lesser thecurvature to the left or the right), the weaker the magnetic ball shouldbe, as an example.

FIG. 15 illustrates a rear view of a spine 1511 having scoliosis, withinserted magnetic ball core bone screws 1500-a-1500-a 3 and a detailedenlarged view 1530 of a screw head 1566, according to an aspect. Thebody 1549 of the individual vertebra, the spinous process 1542, and thetransverse process 1567 are visible in this view. Continuing thediscussion of the method described when referring to FIG. 14, theattraction of the magnets 1526 inside the magnetic core bone screws1500-a-1500-a 3 may help adjust the vertebrae 1549-1549-b and correctthe alignment of the spinal column 1511. Additionally, the slightrepulsion of any nonsequential bone screws (e.g., 1500-a and 1500-a 3),may help to relieve pressure from the vertebrae 1549, 1549-a on thespinal nerve (not shown). As an example, a first screw 1500-a having afree-floating magnet 1526 within the screw head 1566 may be implanted ina first vertebra 1549. Next, a second screw 1500-a 2 having a magnetwithin the screw head may be positioned in a second vertebra 1549-a onthe inferior side of the first vertebra 1549, as shown. Because themagnets 1526 inside each bone screw 1500-a, 1500-a 2 are free to spin,the south pole 1503 of the magnet 1526 in the screw 1500-a may rotateand position itself to point toward the north pole of the magnet in thescrew 1500-a 2, as shown as an example in the detailed enlarged view1530.

As an example, in operation, the freely spinning magnetic balls 1526within the bone screw heads 1566 will naturally align themselves overtime to form a single straight magnetic field running along the spinalcolumn 1511. Due to the attraction of the opposite polarities of themagnetic poles (e.g., 1502 and 1503), the magnets 1526 will pull towardeach other, causing the bone screws (e.g., 1500-a and 1500-a 2) to bepulled as well. As the bone screws 1500-a, 1500-a 2 magnetically pulltoward each other, the vertebrae 1549, 1549-a will be forced to shiftand readjust as well. Over time, because the magnets 1526 are freespinning, the bone screws 1500-a, 1500-a 2 will continuously pull towardeach other, even as the vertebrae 1549, 1549-a shift in position.

As mentioned previously above when referring to FIG. 14, it may bepreferable to treat three or more vertebrae at a time. As shown as anexample in FIG. 15, more than three bone screws may be used ifnecessary. In the method of use it should be understood that the mostcurved vertebrae should be treated first, such as 1549-a and 1549-bshown in FIG. 15. By inserting the bone screws 1500-a 2, 1500-a 3 on theconvex side of the curve, as shown, the most curved portions of thespinal column may be pulled into proper alignment. Using the preferredmethod of treating three or more vertebrae at a time, bone screws1500-a-1500-a 3 may be implanted into the vertebrae 1549-1549-b. Then,after some time has passed and the most curved vertebrae have shifted,additional bone screws may be added, as shown by 1500-b, or the existingbone screws may be relocated, such that the magnets 1526 in the magneticball core bone screws continue to pull on each other until they align toform a straight magnetic field, resulting in a more fully correctedspinal column.

Thus, an advantage of the disclosed method of correcting scoliosis isthat because the magnet within the bone screw is free spinning, the needfor precise positioning and orientation of the magnet within the screwmay be negated. Another advantage of the method is that the need toimplant braces, rods or other mounting apparatuses may be negated. Anadditional advantage of the method is that because the vertebrae are notfused together via spinal fusion, the patient may not experiencepermanent stiffness. Another advantage of the disclosed method is that,due to the minimally invasive surgical technique utilized, the patientmay experience less scarring.

It should be understood that a combination of the embodiments of bonescrews disclosed herein may need to be used. As an example, ifcorrection in the ventral dorsal direction of the curvature of the spineis needed, it may be necessary or advantageous for the magnetic corebone screws to be implanted into the vertebrae at different depthsdepending on, for example, the angle of curvature of the spine.Alternatively, the magnetic ball may be positioned at a preselectedfixed depth within the shaft of the bone screw. As such, a first bonescrew inserted into a vertebra may be of the type shown in FIG. 12, anda second bone screw inserted into another vertebra may be of the typeshown in FIGS. 11A-11B, with the magnet placed at a predetermined depthwithin the interior cavity of the bone screw, as an example. Themagnetic ball within the shaft cavity may then be free to move back andforth within the cavity of the bone screw to align itself withneighboring magnetic balls implanted in neighboring vertebrae, as anexample. Thus, an advantage is that because the magnetic ball is free tomove back and forth within the shaft of the screw, the correct naturalventral dorsal curve of the spine may be maintained while stillcorrecting the scoliosis curve of the vertebral spine from the lateralto the medial direction. Another advantage is the increase in range ofthe depth that a surgeon may implant the magnetic core bone screw intothe vertebra, since the free maneuverability of the magnetic ball withinthe bone screw may maintain the correct ventral dorsal curve of thespine during scoliosis correction.

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate a perspective view and a front view,respectively, of a scoliosis correction abacus 1650, according to anaspect. As described throughout this disclosure above, magnetic ballcore bone screws may be implanted into vertebrae to correct the abnormalcurvature of a spine suffering from scoliosis. The magnets within thescrews attract and/or repel each other, causing the individual vertebraeto shift until they are properly aligned in a single vertical line. Inextreme cases of scoliosis, particularly where the bone screws alonecannot cause complete realignment of the spine, the scoliosis correctionabacus 1650 could be used in conjunction with the already implanted bonescrews. In another aspect of the present invention, a system forcorrecting scoliosis of the spine is provided, wherein the systemcomprises magnetic ball core bone screws and the scoliosis correctionabacus 1650. As described previously herein, it may be preferred totreat the most curved vertebrae first. As such, employing the correctionabacus 1650 to help correct scoliosis initially during the treatmentprocess, as will be described in detail below, may more effectivelycorrect the scoliosis in the long run.

As shown in FIGS. 16A-16B, the correction abacus 1650 may be providedwith a frame 1654, as an example. Although the frame 1654 of thecorrection abacus 1650 is depicted as having a rectangular shape, itshould be understood that the abacus could be designed to be circular,octagonal, or any other feasible shape. As shown, the correction abacus1650 may be provided with a plurality of rods 1653. As shown as anexample, each rod 1653 may extend horizontally from a first interiorwall 1654 a of the frame 1654 to a second interior wall 1654 b, suchthat the rods 1653 are secured within the frame 1654. The correctionabacus 1650 may also be provided with a plurality of magnetic riders1651, 1652. While only one pair of riders 1651, 1652 is shown in FIGS.16A-16B, it should be understood that multiple pairs of riders may needto be used within the abacus 1650, with each rod 1653 comprising no morethan one pair of riders 1651, 1652 (see e.g., FIG. 18).

As an example, during use, the scoliosis correction abacus 1650 could beworn by a patient requiring further correction of the spine. Thescoliosis correction abacus 1650 could be configured to attach to thepatient's back by any suitable means. As shown as an example in FIG.16A, the correction abacus 1650 may be provided with shoulder straps1661 and waist straps 1662 that may be extended outwardly from theabacus 1650 and attached around the user's shoulders and waist,respectively. It should be understood that other attachment means may beused, such as buckles, chords, or having the abacus placed within abackpack, for example. As shown in FIGS. 16A-16B, the scoliosiscorrection abacus 1650 should be oriented to face the back of thepatient, such that the front of each magnetic rider 1651, 1652 facestoward the patient's back. The functionality of the correction abacus1650 will be discussed in further detail when referring to FIG. 18.

FIG. 17 illustrates a front perspective view of the magnetic riders1651, 1652 shown in FIGS. 16A-16B, according to an aspect. As discussedpreviously above, the rods of the correction abacus 1750 may be providedwith a pair of magnetic riders. Each pair of magnetic riders maycomprise a fixed magnetic rider (“fixed magnetic rider,” “fixed rider”)1752 and a free magnetic rider (“free magnetic rider,” “free rider,”“free-moving rider”) 1751, as shown. The fixed rider 1752 may beprovided with a locking screw 1759, to secure the rider 1752 to the rod1753, and an attracting magnet 1758, as an example. The free rider 1751may comprise a set of two magnets 1755, 1757, as shown. The front-facingmagnet 1755 may face toward a patient's back when the correction abacusis worn, as an example, such that the magnet 1755 may align with amagnetic bone screw in the patient's spine. The side-facing magnet 1757may point toward the fixed rider 1752, such that the attracting magnet1758 may magnetically pull on the side-facing magnet 1757 of thefree-moving rider 1751, as an example. It should be understood that eachpair of riders 1751, 1752 provided on the rods 1753 may comprise theexemplary components described herein above.

It should be noted that each magnetic rider of the pair of magneticriders 1751, 1752 may be adapted to be removably associated with theplurality of rods. As an example, the fixed rider 1752 and the freerider 1751 may be configured to be removed from a first rod (via alatching or cuffing means, for example) and may be placed and securedonto a second rod, as needed. Because the number of pairs of magneticriders 1751, 1752 should correspond to the number of bone screwsimplanted in the user's vertebrae, it would thus be advantageous for themagnetic riders 1751, 1752 to be easily movable among the plurality ofrods.

It should be understood that, according to the proper method of use ofthe scoliosis correction abacus, only one front-facing magnet 1755should face and align with a magnetic ball core bone screw implanted ina vertebra. As an example, having more than one magnet 1755 face towarda given magnetic core bone screw in a vertebra may cause the vertebra toshift in the wrong direction or not at all. Furthermore, as describedpreviously when referring to FIG. 14, only one magnetic ball core bonescrew should be inserted into each vertebra needing realignment.Accordingly, only one front-facing magnet 1755 should point toward amagnetic ball core bone screw, in the applicable vertebrae.

FIG. 18 illustrates a perspective view of a scoliosis correction abacushaving multiple pairs of magnetic riders, according to an aspect. Asdiscussed previously when referring to FIGS. 16A-16B, the correctionabacus 1850 may be provided with a plurality of rods 1853 that extendhorizontally across the interior walls of the frame 1854. As shown inFIG. 18, each rod 1853 may be placed at a different position on theinterior walls of the frame 1854, such that the plurality of rods isarranged in a staggered formation. As an example, a top rod 1853 a maybe positioned in the wall 1854 a at a point closest to the rear of theabacus 1850. A second rod 1853 b may be positioned in the wall 1854 a ata point farther to the left (i.e., between the front and the rear of theabacus) of the top rod 1853 a. A bottom rod 1853 c, as shown, may bepositioned at a point in the inner wall 1854 a between the other tworods 1853 a and 1853 b. Thus, the arrangement of the rods 1853 in thewall 1854 a may resemble the natural curvature of the spine (whenviewing the spine from the side), as shown.

As shown in FIG. 18, the staggering of the rods 1853 such that toresemble the natural curvature of the spine allows each of the riders1852, 1851 to be positioned at an equal distance from a bone screwimplanted in the spinal column. Thus, the correction abacus 1850 may beplaced onto a user's back via the straps 1861, 1862, such that eachrider 1852, 1851 may pull on a magnetic ball in a bone screw in thespine with relatively the same magnitude and direction. As will bediscussed in detail below, the rods 1853 may be provided with a pair ofmagnetic riders 1851, 1852 to correspond with a bone screw that may beimplanted in each vertebra of the spine.

As described above when referring to FIGS. 16A-16B, the correctionabacus may be used in conjunction with the magnetic ball core bonescrews to further correct scoliosis of the spine. In continuation of themethod described previously above, a patient suffering from a severecase of scoliosis may wear the correction abacus on his or her back, asan example. As mentioned previously in this disclosure, it may bepreferable to treat and correct the curvature of three vertebrae or moreat a time. Per the method, let the patient have three bone screwsimplanted into three vertebrae, such that one bone screw is implanted ineach of the three vertebrae, as an example. Accordingly, three pairs ofmagnetic riders 1851, 1852 may be provided in the abacus 1850, such thatone pair of riders 1851, 1852 is provided on three rods 1853 a, 1853 b,1853 c. The placement of the riders 1851, 1852 on the rods shouldcorrespond to the position of each bone screw implanted in the patient'sspine, such that a first pair of riders on a top rod 1853 a alignsvertically and horizontally with a first bone screw in a top-mostvertebra (e.g., 1549 in FIG. 15).

As an example, the free rider 1851 a may be aligned horizontally alongthe rod 1853 a to position the front-facing magnet 1855 in front of thebone screw in the patient's vertebra. The fixed rider 1852 a may then bepositioned along the rod 1853 a and secured (via the locking screw 1859)at a predetermined distance away from the free rider 1851 a. Thepositioning of the fixed rider 1852 a away from the free rider 1851 ashould correspond to the desired alignment of the spine. In other words,the greater the curve of the spine the farther to the right or the leftthe fixed rider should be positioned, depending on the desired directionof vertebrae movement. It should be understood that the placement of thefixed rider away from the free rider should always be kept within asuitable range such that to allow the attracting magnet and theside-facing magnet to continuously react.

Per the example above, the three pairs of free riders 1851 a-1851 c maybe aligned with the three bone screws in the patient's spine. Duringuse, the singular front-facing magnet 1855 of each free rider 1851a-1851 c may magnetically pull on the magnetic balls of each bone screw.Each fixed rider 1852 a-1852 c may be positioned and screwed onto therods 1853 a-1853 c, respectively, beside each free rider 1851 a-1851 cand opposite the direction of curvature of the scoliosis. In otherwords, as an example, if the spine curves/protrudes to the right (asshown in FIG. 15), the fixed riders should be positioned, when the fixedriders are facing toward the user's back, to the left of the freemagnetic riders. While the singular front-facing magnet 1855 per freerider 1851 a-1851 c pull on each magnet (inside each bone screw)implanted within each vertebra needing realignment in the spine, theside-facing magnets 1857 are simultaneously pulled on by the attractingmagnets 1858 of the fixed riders 1852 a-1852 c. The fixed riders 1852a-1852 c thus pull on the free riders 1851 a-1852 c, respectively, whichall pull on the bone screws in the vertebrae of the spine, which maycause each vertebra to shift and come into proper alignment over time.Thus, the correction abacus may efficiently function with the magneticcore bone screws as a scoliosis correction system.

Thus, an advantage of the scoliosis correction system is that themagnetic ball core bone screws may be used with or without thecorrection abacus to realign the spinal column. Another advantage isthat the correction abacus may be conveniently and easily worn by thepatient. An additional advantage is that the correction abacus may bemade from readily available materials and is therefore cost-effective.Another advantage is that the correction abacus may help correct thecurvature of the spine without the need for additional surgery.

The magnets 1855, 1857, 1858 of the magnetic riders may be made ofneodymium or any other suitable magnetic metal to react with themagnetic balls of the bone screws. The correction abacus components maybe made from any durable, lightweight material (e.g., wood, plastic,aluminum). Additionally, the frame of the abacus may be made of orcoated with rubber, foam, or some other material to allow the patient tocomfortably wear the abacus during sleep, as an example. While a lockingscrew is depicted, any suitable or equivalent means (e.g., pin, bolt,thread system) may be used to secure the fixed rider to the rod.Additionally, while the rods are depicted as being circular rods, theymay be configured to be rectangular, octagonal, triangular or any othersuitable shape. The magnetic riders, though depicted as rectangularblocks, may be designed to be circular or any other suitable shape. Itshould also be understood that, although the fixed rider is depicted asbeing positioned to the left of the free rider (front view), the fixedrider may be placed to the right of the free rider as needed, dependingon the curvature of the scoliosis.

FIG. 19 illustrates a front perspective, sectional view of anotherexample of the scoliosis correction abacus 1850, implemented as aflexible magnetic girdle 1970, according to an aspect. As shown in FIG.19, the flexible magnetic girdle (“flexible magnetic girdle,” “flexiblemagnetic hose girdle,” “magnetic hose girdle”) 1970 may comprise acentral girdle body (“central girdle body,” “girdle body,” “centralgirdle portion,” “stretchable body”) 1972 intended to be worn on thetorso of the user, which may characterize the magnetic hose girdle 1970as a simpler, more easily implementable version of the correction abacus1650 shown in FIGS. 16A-16B, for example. As shown, the magnetic hosegirdle may be provided with a flexible hose (“flexible hose,” “magnetichose”) 1971 having a plurality of magnetic cylinders (“magneticcylinders,” “magnets”) 1955 disposed within and extending the length ofthe flexible hose 1971. The magnets 1955 may, for example, beconstructed from neodymium, or any other suitable material. As will bediscussed in more detail below, the flexible hose 1971 may line thecenter rear of the magnetic hose girdle 1970, such that the magnetswithin the flexible hose 1971 may magnetically pull on magnetic ballcore bone screws implanted in vertebrae of the spine (e.g., 1500-a inFIG. 15). The flexible hose 1971 may be constructed of rubber orplastic, for example, to enable the user to comfortably bend over frontto back and side to side, while still maintaining the hose 1971 in astraight line down the center rear of the magnetic hose girdle 1970.Furthermore, the flexible hose 1971 may be transparent, as shown, suchthat to enable the user or a surgeon/physician to ensure the magneticcylinders 1955 within the magnetic hose 1971 are functioning properly.

As shown, the girdle body 1972 may be made from a stretchy, flexiblematerial 1972 and may comprise a rear reinforcement portion 1973 toprovide structural support for the magnetic hose 1971. As an example,the stretchy, flexible material may be made from a nylon spandex blend(e.g., power knit) or any other typically used girdle fabric. Thestretchable, flexible material may allow the magnetic hose girdle 1970to fit snugly and comfortably over the user's torso, such that theflexible hose 1971 having the magnetic cylinders 1955 may be kept closerto the spine, as an example, when worn by the user. The rearreinforcement portion 1973 may be made from leather or a similarmaterial, for example, to provide the magnetic hose 1971 with improvedstructural integrity and attachment support.

As shown in FIG. 19, the top 1970A of the magnetic hose girdle 1970 maycomprise a set of shoulder straps 1961 to help secure the girdle 1970 tothe user's body, and to help prevent the girdle 1970 from sliding toolow on the user's torso, for example. The shoulder straps 1961 may bemade from the same material as the girdle (e.g., leather, power knit) orany other suitable material, for example. The magnetic hose girdle 1970may also be provided with sets of top 1962A and bottom 1962B belt loops,as shown, to allow a belt (not shown) or other fastening means to beinserted through the belt loops 1962A, 1962B such that to further securethe girdle 1970 to the user's body, as an example. The belt loops 1962A,1962B may be made from the same material as the girdle (e.g., leather,power knit) or other suitably strong material so as to support a belt orother fastening means, as described above. Thus, an advantage is thatthe magnetic hose may comfortably be kept in close proximity to thespine having scoliosis, such that to enable the curved vertebrae havingmagnetic core bone screws to be shifted into proper alignment.

As mentioned previously above, the flexible hose 1971 may be providedwith a plurality of magnetic cylinders 1955 disposed vertically withinthe hose 1971, as an example. As shown in FIG. 19, the magneticcylinders 1955 may be disposed within the hose 1971 such that thepolarities of the magnetic cylinders 1955 are arranged north 1902 tosouth 1903. It should be understood that the magnetic polarities mayalso be arranged south to north, alternatively. However, the polarity ofeach magnetic cylinder 1955 disposed in the flexible hose 1971 should beidentical (e.g., each magnetic cylinder is oriented north to south),such that the magnetic cylinders 1955 create their own strong magneticfield. As an example, a first magnetic cylinder 1955A oriented north1902A to south 1903A within the flexible hose 1971 may attract a secondmagnetic cylinder 1955B also oriented north 1902B to south 1903B, sincethe opposite poles (north 1902B and south 1903A) of the first 1955A andthe second 1955B magnetic cylinders are pointed toward each other, asshown. Each pair of magnetic cylinders 1955 within the hose 1971 mayattract in this way, such that magnetic field lines continuously runbetween each north and south pole, forming a continuous magnetic fieldrunning the length of the hose 1971, as an example.

As shown in FIG. 19, the flexible hose 1971 is oriented vertically andaffixed centrally within the girdle body 1972 such that the flexiblehose 1971 can run straight down the center midline of the user's back.Thus, the magnetic balls (e.g., 1526 in FIG. 15) of the magnetic ballcore bone screws implanted in the user's spine (as shown in FIG. 15) mayfreely orient themselves within the continuous magnetic field of themagnetic girdle 1970. As similarly described above when referring toFIG. 18, the magnetic ball core bone screw implanted in the user's spinemay be either of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11A-12, as an example.For example, when the magnetic girdle is worn, a magnetic ball disposedwithin the head (e.g., 1225) of a bone screw may rotate itself, suchthat its north and/or south poles attract toward the north and/or southpoles of a magnetic cylinder of the plurality of magnetic cylinders.Additionally, for example, a magnetic ball disposed within the shaft ofa bone screw may rotate and travel along the shaft cavity (e.g., 1124)and then orient its north and/or south poles to attract toward the northand/or south poles of one of the plurality of magnetic cylinders. Thus,when the magnetic girdle is worn by the user, the bone screws (e.g.,1100, 1200) are pulled by the magnetic cylinders 1955, which may cause,over time, the vertebrae to shift into a straight line in the medial tolateral direction.

As shown in FIG. 19, the flexible hose 1971 may also be provided withdivider pellets (“divider pellets,” “dividers”) 1965 positioned inbetween each pair of magnetic cylinders 1955. As an example, the dividerpellets 1965A may be manufactured from a magnetically transparentmaterial like plastic, such that to ensure that each pair of magneticcylinders (e.g., 1955A and 1955B) may still attract. As shown, thedivider pellets 1965 may be used to maintain space and flexibilitybetween pairs of magnetic cylinders 1955 within the hose 1971, such thatenough spacing is provided to enable a magnetic cylinder 1955A tospatially align with a particular magnetic ball core bone screw in avertebra (e.g., 1500-a 2 in FIG. 15). The magnetic cylinders 1955 shouldbe narrow enough in girth so as to slide easily down the flexible hose1971, but wide enough so as to maintain separation via the dividerpellets 1965. As an example, if each magnetic cylinder is 2 cm in lengthand 2 cm in diameter, and if each divider pellet is 1 cm in length anddiameter, then ten magnetic cylinders 1955 may fit adequately within a30 cm flexible hose having a 2.5 cm inner diameter. As should beunderstood, the chosen length of the hose 1971, and therefore thenumbers and sizes of the magnets 1955 and divider pellets 1965, maydepend on the height and/or age of the user (i.e., length of the user'sspine). Additionally, larger magnetic cylinders could be utilized tostrengthen the magnetic field of the flexible hose, for example.

As mentioned previously above, the flexible nature of the magnetic hose1971 may enable the user to comfortably bend over front to back and sideto side, as an example. The placement of the divider pellets 1965between adjacent magnets 1955 may further contribute to the flexiblenature of the magnetic hose 1971. As an example, using a singular,lengthy magnet within the magnetic hose 1971, rather than the pluralityof separated magnetic cylinders, would restrict any normal movement ofthe spine (e.g., bending). Similarly, allowing the plurality of magnetsto make direct contact with each other (e.g., touching of north pole1902B and south pole 1903A) would hinder any natural bending orstretching while the magnetic girdle 1970 is worn, for example. Thus, anadvantage of using divider pellets is that the magnetic hose girdle mayallow a user to naturally bend over and/or stretch to the side, whilemaintaining magnetic attraction between the plurality of magnets and thebone screws implanted in the spine.

It should be understood that the divider pellets 1965 may be anysuitable shape, such as cylindrical, spherical, rectangular, triangular,so as to maintain separation between a pair of magnets (e.g., 1955A and1955B). It should also be understood that the magnetic cylinders may beany other suitably shaped magnets as well, such as spherical, such thatto create a continuous magnetic field within the flexible hose.Additionally, although divider pellets are depicted in FIG. 19 anddescribed herein as maintaining separation between pairs of magnets,other suitable means may be employed to achieve the separation andretain flexibility. As an example, the flexible hose may be providedwith physical preset grooves and/or barriers within the hose to lock themagnets into place, and thus create spatial separation between pairs ofmagnets. Furthermore, should the user suffer from a severe case ofscoliosis, magnetic cylinders of greater magnetic field strength may beemployed to provide a stronger pull on the magnetic core bone screwsimplanted in the user's spine.

Thus, an advantage is that the magnetic hose girdle may be convenientlyand easily worn by the user and later removed, as needed. An additionaladvantage is that the magnetic hose girdle may be made from readilyavailable materials and is therefore cost-effective. Another advantageis that the magnetic hose girdle may help correct the curvature of aspine having scoliosis without the need for additional surgery.

As an example, the magnetic hose girdle 1970 disclosed herein above maybe used in tandem with an exterior scoliosis brace. As describedpreviously above, the magnetic hose girdle may be provided with the setsof top 1962A and bottom 1962B belt loops for further securing the girdle1970 to the user. If desired, the magnetic hose girdle 1970 may be wornunderneath or incorporated with a rigid scoliosis brace (not shown),which may be provided with Velcro® straps lining the top and bottom ofthe rigid brace, for example. The belts inserted into the top 1962A andbottom 1962B belt loops may have corresponding openings for attachmentof the rigid brace Velcro® straps, which may unite the girdle 1970 withthe rigid brace. As an example, the rigid brace may be a lightweight3D-printed back brace, a Boston Brace, a Charleston Bending Brace, or aProvidence Brace, among others. The rigid brace should be manufacturedor chosen such that to allow space within the brace for the magnetichose girdle 1970 to adequately fit, as an example. As is known in theart, rigid scoliosis braces are designed to push against the abnormalcurvature of the spine, so as to facilitate correction of the curvedvertebrae (e.g., 1549-b in FIG. 15). This pushing against the abnormalcurvature would bring the magnetic ball core bone screws implanted inthe spine closer to the magnetic cylinders (1955) of the magnetic hosein the magnetic hose girdle 1970. Thus, utilization of a rigid scoliosisbrace may facilitate enhanced and speedier scoliosis correction sincethe attractive forces between the magnetic ball core bone screws and themagnetic cylinders 1955 may be heightened due to the closer physicalproximity of the spine to the magnetic hose 1971.

It should be understood that while a brace may be utilized to enhancescoliosis correction, utilizing the brace is not necessarily preferredas a method of correcting scoliosis. As described herein above, themagnetic hose girdle 1970 or the traditional correction abacus 1850 mayfunction independently to facilitate proper spinal alignment. A user maychoose, or a physician/surgeon may recommend, using a rigid scoliosisbrace in tandem with the magnetic hose girdle in, for example, cases ofsevere scoliosis. As such, the magnetic hose girdle may be worn duringthe day and the rigid brace may be added over the girdle at night foruse while the user sleeps, for example. Thus, an advantage of using arigid scoliosis brace with the magnetic hose girdle is the enhancedcorrecting of scoliosis of the spine without the need for additionalsurgery.

It should be noted that the magnetic girdle may be adapted toalternatively have frontal straps, rather than a continuous stretchablebody surrounding the user's entire torso. As such, the frontal strapsmay extend horizontally across the sides of the stretchable body, suchthat the frontal straps can be tightened as needed across the front ofthe user's torso when worn, as an example.

As one of ordinary skills in the art may recognize, magnetic core bonescrews 1100, 1200 may prove to have a myriad of uses in addition tothose described herein above. As an example, the magnetic core bonescrews disclosed herein may be adapted to form skull screws forattaching prosthetics to the skull. The magnetic core skull screwsinserted into the skull may thus enable artificial ears, eyes, noses,and/or wigs to be attached to the appropriate parts of the skull, forexample. As an example, a prosthetic attachment (e.g., a nose) may beprovided with attractive magnets for attracting the prostheticattachment to magnetic core bone screws implanted within the bones ofthe face. The prosthetic attachment may be constructed in such a way soas to provide a protective material layer (e.g., silicone, leather)between the skin and the prosthesis to prevent the raw material of theattractive magnets of the prosthetic attachment from coming in directcontact with the skin. Thus, an advantage is that because no metal ormagnetic material comes into direct contact with the user's skin, anypotential irritation from contact with the magnetic material may beavoided.

The magnetic core skull screws implanted into the skull may be either ofthe free-spinning magnetic ball or the fixed magnet within the screwvarieties, as an example. However, using the free-spinning magnetic ballvariety may be preferable since less precision is required on the partof the surgeon during insertion of the screw into bone because themagnetic ball may freely align itself with the magnetic field of theattracting magnets of the external prosthesis. As an example, theartificial prosthesis may be removed for sleeping, showering, andspending time around the household, otherwise when the user is not inpublic. At these times, when the user is not wearing the artificialprosthesis, the user's skin may have a more natural appearance since nomagnets or metal may be protruding from the skin. Thus, an advantage ofutilizing magnetic core skull screws with prosthetic attachments is thatno metal may be visible if the prosthetic attachment is removed.

As another example, the magnetic core bone screws described herein abovemay be used as an alternative magnetic implant for the correction ofpectus excavatum or “sunken/funnel chest,” as the condition is commonlyknown. Magnetic core bone screws of either the fixed or free spinningvarieties may be used by a surgeon, as an example. However, the freespinning magnetic ball variety may be preferable since the magnetic ballcan freely align itself with the attractive force of external attractingmagnets, for example. By implanting several strategically placedmagnetic ball core bone screws having varied magnetic field strengths,the surgeon may more artfully correct the breastbone structure than thecurrent magnetic implant systems used to treat pectus excavatum, as anexample.

As another example, the magnetic core bone screws described herein maybe used as an improved alternative magnetic implant for use withmagnetic nanoparticles. Currently, one known method of treating spinalcord tumors utilizes magnetic nanoparticles that carry cytotoxic drugs.Magnetic core bone screws of either the fixed or free spinning varietiesmay be used as a means for efficiently delivering the drug moreproximally to the location of the tumor, as an example. For example, thecurrent method of utilizing magnetic nanoparticles involves implantingthe magnet in body tissue above the vertebra having the tumor. Amagnetic core bone screw may be placed within the vertebra having thetumor, such that the medication in the magnetic core bone screw isconcentrated closer to the spinal cord tumor site where the medicationis needed.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and itsderivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two ormore elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contactwith one another. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. Thephrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well asderivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within,interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with,couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave,juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a propertyof, or the like.

Further, as used in this application, “plurality” means two or more. A“set” of items may include one or more of such items. Whether in thewritten description or the claims, the terms “comprising,” “including,”“carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to beunderstood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of,” respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitionalphrases with respect to claims.

If present, use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,”etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connoteany priority, precedence or order of one claim element over another orthe temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. These termsare used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having acertain name from another element having a same name (but for use of theordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used in thisapplication, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, butthe alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.

Throughout this description, the aspects, embodiments or examples shownshould be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on theapparatus or procedures disclosed or claimed. Although some of theexamples may involve specific combinations of method acts or systemelements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements maybe combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives.

Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with oneaspect, embodiment or example are not intended to be excluded from asimilar role(s) in other aspects, embodiments or examples.

Aspects, embodiments or examples of the invention may be described asprocesses, which are usually depicted using a flowchart, a flow diagram,a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may depictthe operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can beperformed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of theoperations may be re-arranged. With regard to flowcharts, it should beunderstood that additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the stepsas shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the describedmethods.

If means-plus-function limitations are recited in the claims, the meansare not intended to be limited to the means disclosed in thisapplication for performing the recited function, but are intended tocover in scope any equivalent means, known now or later developed, forperforming the recited function.

If any presented, the claims directed to a method and/or process shouldnot be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written,and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences maybe varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Although aspects, embodiments and/or examples have been illustrated anddescribed herein, someone of ordinary skills in the art will easilydetect alternate of the same and/or equivalent variations, which may becapable of achieving the same results, and which may be substituted forthe aspects, embodiments and/or examples illustrated and describedherein, without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore,the scope of this application is intended to cover such alternateaspects, embodiments and/or examples. Hence, the scope of the inventionis defined by the accompanying claims and their equivalents. Further,each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into thespecification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for correcting scoliosis, the systemcomprising: at least one bone screw configured to be screwed into avertebra, the at least one bone screw comprising: a head having a set ofinterior threads; a tip having a distalmost point configured to bedriven into the vertebra; a body comprising a set of exterior threads,the body extending between the head and the tip; a magnetic ball havinga north pole and a south pole; an interior cavity located within thehead and configured to house the magnetic ball, the magnetic ball beingfree spinning within the interior cavity, such that the magnetic ballcan align itself with an exterior magnetic field; and a cap having: atop end configured to receive a driving means for driving the at leastone bone screw into the vertebra; and a bottom end having a set of capthreads; wherein an association of the set of cap threads with the setof interior threads causes the cap to be sealed to the head, and thuscauses the magnetic ball to be fully encased within the at least onebone screw; and a correction abacus configured to be attached onto, andface towards, a user's back, the correction abacus comprising: a frame;a plurality of rods extending horizontally between interior walls of theframe; and at least one pair of magnetic riders disposed on one of theplurality of rods, the at least one pair of magnetic riders comprising:a first fixed rider having an attracting magnet and a means for fixingthe first fixed rider to the one of the plurality of rods; and a secondfree-moving rider having a side-facing and a front-facing magnets;wherein the side-facing magnet is adapted to face toward the first fixedrider, and the front-facing magnet is adapted to face toward thevertebra when the correction abacus is attached onto the user's back;wherein the second free-moving rider is adapted to be aligned with theat least one bone screw, such that to provide the at least one bonescrew with at least a portion of the exterior magnetic field; thecorrection abacus being thus configured such that when the correctionabacus is attached onto the user's back, the first fixed rider is fixedat a position away from the second free-moving rider and opposite thecurvature of the scoliosis, such that the attracting magnet magneticallypulls on the side-facing magnet, and the front-facing magnetsimultaneously magnetically pulls on the magnetic ball of the at leastone bone screw, causing the vertebra to shift over time, and thusresulting in the correcting of the scoliosis.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the magnetic ball further comprises a first magnetic fieldstrength.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of theexterior magnetic field is provided by a second magnetic ball of asecond bone screw screwed into a neighboring vertebra, the secondmagnetic ball having a second magnetic field strength, the secondmagnetic field strength being different from or equal to the firstmagnetic field strength.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thecorrection abacus is configured to be attached onto the user's back viashoulder and waist straps.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the body,the head, and the tip are constructed from titanium.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the magnetic ball, the attracting magnet, theside-facing magnet, and the front-facing magnet are constructed fromneodymium.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the fixing means is alocking screw.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rodsis arranged in a staggered formation on the internal walls of the frame.9. A system for correcting scoliosis, the system comprising: at leastone bone screw configured to be screwed into a vertebra, the at leastone bone screw comprising: an exterior casing; a head configured toreceive a means for driving the at least one bone screw into thevertebra; a tip having a distalmost point configured to be driven intothe vertebra; a shaft extending between the head and the tip; a magneticball having a north pole and a south pole; an interior cavity locatedwithin, and extending a length of, the shaft, and being configured tohouse the magnetic ball, the magnetic ball being free spinning and freemoving within the interior cavity, such that the magnetic ball can alignitself with an exterior magnetic field; wherein the exterior casingencloses the tip, the shaft, and the head, and wherein a portion of theexterior casing enclosing the shaft comprises a set of exterior threads;and wherein the magnetic ball is fully encased within the at least onebone screw, such that no portion of the magnetic ball is exposed outsideof the exterior casing; and a correction abacus configured to beattached onto, and face towards, a user's back, the correction abacuscomprising: a frame; a plurality of rods extending horizontally betweeninterior walls of the frame; and at least one fixed magnetic rider andat least one free-moving magnetic rider disposed on one of the pluralityof rods; the at least one fixed magnetic rider having an attractingmagnet and a means for fixing the fixed magnetic rider to the one of theplurality of rods; the at least one free-moving magnetic rider having aside-facing and a front-facing magnets; wherein the side-facing magnetis adapted to face toward the fixed magnetic rider, and the front-facingmagnet is adapted to face toward the vertebra when the correction abacusis attached onto the user's back; the correction abacus being thusconfigured such that when the correction abacus is attached onto theuser's back, the fixed magnetic rider is fixed at a position away fromthe free-moving rider and opposite the curvature of the scoliosis, suchthat the attracting magnet magnetically pulls on the side-facing magnet,and the front-facing magnet simultaneously magnetically pulls on themagnetic ball of the at least one bone screw, causing the vertebra toshift over time, and thus resulting in the correcting of the scoliosis.10. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one bone screw furthercomprises a viscous substance or material partially disposed within theinterior cavity such that to slow a motion of the magnetic ball as themagnetic ball moves freely within the interior cavity.
 11. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the exterior casing is constructed from titanium. 12.The system of claim 9, wherein the magnetic ball, the attracting magnet,the side-facing magnet, and the front-facing magnet are constructed fromneodymium.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the fixing means is alocking screw.
 14. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of rodsis arranged in a staggered formation on the internal walls of the frame.15. A system for correcting scoliosis, the system comprising a pluralityof bone screws configured to be screwed into vertebrae of the spine,wherein each bone screw of the plurality of bone screws comprises: anexterior casing; a head having a set of interior threads; a tip having adistalmost point configured to be driven into a vertebra; a shaftextending between the head and the tip; a magnetic ball having a northpole and a south pole; an interior cavity disposed within the bone screwconfigured to house the magnetic ball, the magnetic ball being freespinning and free moving within the interior cavity, such that themagnetic ball can align itself within a magnetic field; and a caphaving: a top end configured to receive a driving means for driving thebone screw into the vertebra; and a bottom end having a set of capthreads; wherein the exterior casing encompasses the tip, the shaft, andat least a portion of the head, and wherein a portion of the exteriorcasing encompassing the shaft comprises a set of exterior threads; andwherein an association of the set of cap threads with the set ofinterior threads causes the cap to be sealed to the head, and thuscauses the magnetic ball to be fully encased within the bone screw, suchthat no portion of the magnetic ball is exposed outside of the exteriorcasing; the plurality of bone screws being thus configured such thatwhen each of the plurality of bone screws is screwed into consecutivevertebrae of the spine, the magnetic balls of the plurality of bonescrews magnetically attract, such that a first magnetic ball of a firstbone screw continuously magnetically pulls on a second magnetic ball ofa second bone screw, thus causing the consecutive vertebrae to shiftinto proper alignment over time, resulting in the correcting of thescoliosis.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the interior cavity islocated within the head.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein theinterior cavity is located within the shaft, the interior cavityextending a length of the shaft.
 18. The system of claim 15, wherein theexterior casing is constructed from titanium.
 19. The system of claim15, wherein the plurality of bone screws is three bone screws.
 20. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the magnetic ball is constructed fromneodymium.
 21. A system for correcting scoliosis, the system comprising:at least one bone screw configured to be screwed into a vertebra, the atleast one bone screw comprising: an exterior casing; a head having a setof interior threads; a tip having a distalmost point configured to bedriven into a vertebra; a shaft extending between the head and the tip;a magnetic ball having a north pole and a south pole; an interior cavitydisposed within the at least one bone screw and configured to house themagnetic ball, the magnetic ball being free spinning and free movingwithin the interior cavity, such that the magnetic ball can align itselfwith an exterior magnetic field; and a cap having: a top end configuredto receive a driving means for driving the at least one bone screw intothe vertebra; and a bottom end having a set of cap threads; wherein theexterior casing encompasses the tip, the shaft, and at least a portionof the head, and wherein a portion of the exterior casing encompassingthe shaft comprises a set of exterior threads; wherein an association ofthe set of cap threads with the set of interior threads causes the capto be sealed to the head, and thus causes the magnetic ball to be fullyencased within the at least one bone screw; and a magnetic girdleconfigured to be worn on a user's torso, the magnetic girdle comprising:a stretchable body adapted to snugly surround the user's torso when themagnetic girdle is worn, the stretchable body comprising a top and abottom; a flexible hose disposed vertically and centrally along aninterior rear of the stretchable body, such that when the magneticgirdle is worn, the flexible hose aligns with a midline of the user'sback; and a plurality of magnets disposed within the flexible hose, eachmagnet of the plurality of magnets having a north pole and a south pole,and each magnet being arranged identically such that the north pole ofeach magnet faces the same direction, the plurality of magnets thusforming a continuous magnetic field along the flexible hose; themagnetic girdle being thus configured such that when the magnetic girdleis worn on the user's torso, the magnetic ball of the at least one bonescrew aligns itself within the continuous magnetic field of theplurality of magnets, such that at least one of the plurality of magnetsmagnetically pulls on the at least one bone screw, causing the vertebrato shift over time, and thus resulting in the correcting of thescoliosis.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the interior cavity islocated within the head.
 23. The system of claim 21, wherein theinterior cavity is located within the shaft, the interior cavityextending a length of the shaft.
 24. The system of claim 21, wherein themagnetic ball and the plurality of magnets are constructed fromneodymium.
 25. The system of claim 21, wherein the magnetic girdlefurther comprises a plurality of dividers disposed within the flexiblehose, each divider of the plurality of dividers being positioned betweenadjacent magnets of the plurality of magnets, such that an equalseparation is maintained between the adjacent magnets.
 26. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the magnetic girdle further comprises: a set ofshoulder straps, each shoulder strap of the set of shoulder strapsextending across the top of the stretchable body; and sets of belt loopsdisposed along the top and the bottom of the stretchable body.